The online network X has sparked major outrage after individuals utilized its artificial intelligence assistant Grok to change photos of females by stripping their clothing.
Numerous examples have been seen where the technology has been used to virtually strip women to show them in swimwear non-consensually, as well as to put them in inappropriate situations.
Developer Reaction and Regulatory Position
XAI, the organization behind Grok, remained silent to questions, except for an standard message stating "legacy media lies".
A government spokesperson stated that legislation is being brought forward to outlaw nudification software. Under a upcoming law, anyone who distributed such technology would "receive a jail term and substantial penalties".
"The platform could prevent these forms of misuse if they wanted to," said a law professor, adding they "appear to enjoy impunity."
Oversight Body Position and Platform Functionality
The regulator Ofcom said technology companies must "evaluate the potential" of people viewing unlawful material on their platforms, but did not confirm whether it was currently investigating X or Grok in relation to artificial intelligence pictures.
Grok is a free AI assistant—with some paid-for functions—which responds to X users' queries when they reference it in a message.
It is often used to give reactions or further context to other users' remarks, but people on X are also can modify an uploaded picture through its artificial intelligence picture modification function.
Background of Criticism and Rules
The system has been condemned for allowing users to produce photos and videos with explicit content and sexually suggestive material, and it was in the past accused of making sexually explicit material of public figures.
"The platform has been permitting the creation and sharing of these images for months without taking any action and we have not seen any intervention by regulators," Professor McGlynn added.
XAI's own terms of service prohibits "showing likenesses of individuals in a graphic way".
In a statement, Ofcom said it was against the law to "make or share private pictures or child sexual abuse material" and stated this included explicit AI images created with AI.
It said platforms such as X were mandated to take "necessary steps" to "lessen the danger" of users viewing unlawful content on their services and to delete it quickly when they become aware of it.
